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Why are low impedance speakers harder to drive than high impedance speakers

I don't understand the electrical reason for this. I look at it from a mechanical point of view. If I have a spring that is of less resistance, and push it with my hand, it takes little effort, and I am not working hard to push it. When I have a stiffer spring (higher resistance)  I have to work harder to push it. This is inversely proportional when we are looking at amplifier/speaker values.

So, when I look at a speaker with an 8 ohm rating, it is easier to drive than a speaker with a 4 ohm load. This does not make sense to me, although I know it to be true. I have yet been able to have it explained to me that makes it clear.  Can someone explain this to me in a manner that does not require an EE degree?

Thanks

crazyeddy

Showing 1 response by twoleftears

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 

As watts got cheaper with ss, designers could not put as much effort into creating high imp. speakers and could also experiment with low imp. designs.

But my question is: %-wise, what contributes to impedance: the overall design (enclosure, drivers, venting, etc.) or the crossover?  I've always suspected that the crossover had a big role, and fancy crossover topologies often make for low imp. speakers (I suspect).

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